Method and system for providing a work-at-home telecommunication service

ABSTRACT

A work-at-home telecommunication service is provided in response to receiving, from a calling party, a service-specific vertical feature code and a dialed number to initiate a call. The call is suspended and a query is sent to a service control point after receiving the vertical feature code and the dialed number. The query includes the dialed number and a calling party identification number. A response to the query is formed using the service control point by translating the dialed number to a called party identification number, and by modifying the calling party identification number to an identification number of a group associated with the calling party. The response includes the called party identification number, the calling party identification number, and a carrier identification code which identifies a telecommunication carrier for the group associated with the calling party. The call is routed to the called party using the telecommunication carrier identified by the carrier identification code. A distinctive ring can be provided at the called party to indicate that the call is associated with the work-at-home telecommunication service.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to telecommunication servicesprovided using a public telephone system.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] An increasing number of corporate employees are working, eitherpart-time or full-time, at home to perform tasks associated with theirjobs. This practice, known as telecommuting, is increasing in popularityas a result of a number of economical, political, and environmentalfactors.

[0003] A corporation can reduce office space requirements, and hencesave money, by sharing desk space among a number of telecommutingemployees. If needed, a desk at the office can be reserved for a limitedduration by a telecommuting employee. During this limited duration,which may be on the order of hours or days, the telecommuting employeecan perform certain tasks which are most amenable with he/she being atthe office.

[0004] Telecommuting can also help corporations respond to Clean Air Actprovisions which limit a number of employee-commuting cars on the road.In certain high-traffic areas, companies can be fined if a certainnumber of employees do not carpool, use public transportation, or workat home.

[0005] To serve the increasing number of telecommuters and theircorporations, the need exists for improved telecommunication services toallow telecommuters to communicate with the office and with othertelecommuters.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,571, issued to Kay et al. and assigned toBell Atlantic Network Services, Inc., discloses an area-wide centrexservice for a telephone communication network. As part of the area-widecentrex service, a work-at-home feature is provided.

[0007] In the work-at-home feature, a special service key actuation atan originating station triggers AIN recognition. A service switchingpoint (SSP) central office then suspends the call and queries anintegrated service control point (ISCP) to determine which business linethe originating line corresponds to. Based on the identified businessline, the ISCP retrieves processing data for completing the call orproviding other area-wide centrex services as if the service requestoriginated from the business group line.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide atelecommunication service in which members of a group can selectivelyplace group-related, direct-dialed calls from home, where thegroup-related calls are carried on a telecommunication carrierassociated with the group rather than the members.

[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide theabove-described telecommunication service which is not limited to acentrex or area-wide centrex service.

[0010] A still further object of the present invention is to provide theabove-described telecommunication service in which an indication of agroup-related call is provided to a call-receiving member of a group.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide atelecommunication service in which members of a group can selectivelyplace group-related, direct-dialed calls from home, where per-line andper-call privacy indicators are honored in the group-related calls.

[0012] Yet another object is to provide a virtual network service whichcan be utilized without requiring a regular or fixed business location.

[0013] In carrying out the above objects, the present invention providesa method of providing a work-at-home telecommunication service. Themethod includes a step of receiving, from a calling party, aservice-specific vertical feature code and a dialed number to initiate acall. After receiving the vertical feature code and the dialed number, astep of suspending the call and sending a query to a service controlpoint is performed. The query includes the dialed number and a callingparty identification number.

[0014] A step of forming a response to the query is performed by theservice control point. The response is formed by translating the dialednumber to a called party identification number and by modifying thecalling party identification number to an identification number of agroup associated with the calling party. The response includes thecalled party identification number, the calling party identificationnumber, and a carrier identification code which identifies atelecommunication carrier for the group associated with the callingparty.

[0015] A step of routing the call to the called party is performed usingthe telecommunication carrier identified by the carrier identificationcode. A step of providing a distinctive ring at the called party isperformed to indicate that the call is associated with the work-at-hometelecommunication service.

[0016] Further in carrying out the above objects, the present inventionprovides a system for providing a work-at-home telecommunicationservice. The system includes a service control point and a serviceswitching point which performed the steps of the above-described method.

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and embodiments of the presentinvention will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for providing a work-at-hometelecommunication service in accordance with the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of steps performed to provide awork-at-home telecommunication service in accordance with the presentinvention; and

[0020] FIGS. 3(A-B) illustrate logic flow in a service control point toprovide a work-at-home telecommunication service in accordance with thepresent invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0021]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for providing a work-at-hometelecommunication service in accordance with the present invention. Thesystem utilizes an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) platform so thatoperating control over call processing and billing of the work-at-homeservice is centralized at a service control point (SCP) 10.

[0022] A service switching point (SSP) 12 serves a plurality oftelephone lines 14, including a telephone line 16, a telephone line 18,and a telephone line 20. Another service switching point (SSP) 22 servesa plurality of telephone lines 24, including a telephone line 26, atelephone line 28, and a telephone line 30. The SSPs 12 and 22 can beincluded within respective central offices or end offices of a publictelephone system.

[0023] In general, the SSPs 12 and 22 are AIN switching systems thatrecognize triggers indicative of AIN calls, and send queries to the SCP10 in response thereto. The SCP 10 utilizes a database containingservice-specific logic and data to form a response to each query. Theresponse instructs either the SSP 12 or the SSP 22 on how to proceedwith the AIN call.

[0024] Telephone calls are communicated between the SSPs 12 and 22 usingany of the plurality of telecommunication carriers. The plurality oftelecommunication carriers can include interexchange carriers, localexchange carriers, or any combination thereof. For the purpose ofillustration, the plurality of telecommunication carriers includes afirst telecommunication carrier 30, a second telecommunication carrier32, and a third telecommunication carrier 34. The specifictelecommunication carrier utilized for communicating a call is dependentupon a carrier identification code associated with the call, where eachof the telecommunication carriers has a unique carrier identificationcode associated therewith.

[0025] For the purpose of illustration, the telephone lines 16, 26, and28 are members of a group which subscribes to the telecommunicationservice. The telephone lines 16, 26, and 28 can be the home telephonelines of fellow employees of a business, for example, which subscribesto the work-at-home telecommunication service. Associated with the groupare an identification number used for billing the group'stelecommunication calls and a carrier identification code to identify atelecommunication carrier to carry the group's telecommunication calls.

[0026] A first member of the group initiates a call by preceding thecall with a service-specific code. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the service-specific code is “*96”. After dialing the servicespecific code, such as “*96”, the first member dials a phone number foreither a second member of the group or for another individual outside ofthe group. The phone number for the second member can be in the form ofa private virtual network number for the second member. If the firstmember desires that the call be anonymous, a privacy access code (suchas “*67”) is dialed prior to dialing the phone number.

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention are subsequently describedfor cases in which the first member dials a private virtual networknumber. It is noted, however, that any dialed number can be substitutedfor the private virtual network number to allow the first member to dialan individual outside of the group.

[0028] The SSP receives the service-specific code and the privatevirtual network number from the first member, and identifies the call asan AIN network call. The SSP suspends the call after receiving both theservice-specific code and the private virtual network number, and sendsa query to the SCP. The query includes the private virtual networknumber and a calling party identification number which identifies thefirst member. In one embodiment, the calling party identification numberincludes the ANI of the first member, i.e., the calling party.

[0029] The SCP forms a response to the query by translating the privatevirtual network number. In one embodiment, the private virtual networknumber is a seven-digit number conforming to a standard dialing plan.For example, the seven-digit number can conform to the NXX-XXXX portionof the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) format. Here, the privatevirtual network number can be translated by prefixing the seven-digitnumber with a predetermined string of digits, for example, the digits“1-700”.

[0030] It is noted that embodiments of the present invention are notlimited to use of a seven-digit dialed number. For example, in otherembodiments, the dialed number can include a ten-digit number.

[0031] To allow for private virtual network numbers having a variablenumber of digits, a “#” can be dialed after the private virtual networknumber to indicate the end of dialing. Otherwise, the first member canwait for a predetermined time out condition to signal an end-of-dialing.Alternatively, an end-of-dialing condition is detected if theseven-digit NXX-XXXX has a valid number in the translation using theSSP.

[0032] In forming the response to the query, the SCP further acts tomodify the calling party identification number to the identificationnumber of the group. A calling party identification number in the formof an ANI is modified to a unique ANI associated with thetelecommunication service user's work bill.

[0033] The response formed by the SCP includes the translated privatevirtual network number, the modified calling party identificationnumber, and the carrier identification code which identifies thetelecommunication carrier for the group. Based on whether the privacyservices access code was dialed, the response can include a callingparty identification presentation parameter set by the SCP. The SCPcommunicates the response back to the SSP.

[0034] The SSP receives the response from the SCP, and routes the callto the second member using the telecommunication carrier for the group.A distinctive ring is provided to the second member to indicate that thecall is a virtual network call associated with the work-at-hometelecommunication service. The SSP creates a billing record of the callwherein the call is billed to the group rather than the individualmember. Here, all of the charges associated with the calls are recordedwith the modified ANI and the carrier identification code.

[0035] In summary, the work-at-home telecommunication service includesboth an originating component and a terminating component. Theoriginating component provides individuals working at home an ability toplace a direct dialed call from their home which is billed to “theoffice”. Hence, the originating component provides both accountingservices and network functionality. The terminating component provides adistinctive ringing pattern for work calls terminating to the virtualnetwork user. The virtual network service ANI can be utilized to supportthis functionality.

[0036] In contrast, calls which do not include the service-specific codefollow normal billing and routing processes. In other words, if a membermakes a call without dialing the service-specific code, the call isbilled to the member rather than the group, and the call is routed usinga telecommunication carrier designated by the member rather than thegroup.

[0037] To provide the telecommunication service, the end offices canutilize SSPs compliant with AIN Release 0.1 or later. Here, the SCP isalso AIN-compliant in accordance with Release 0.1 or later. Preferably,each end office offering the telecommunication service is equipped witha public office dialing plan (PODP) feature code trigger activated todetect the service-specific code. Here, the service-specific code is avertical service code. End user telephone lines are also activated tosupport the service-specific code or vertical service code.

[0038] For end offices equipped with switches which do not support thePODP feature code trigger, a Customized Dialing Plan (CDP) trigger canbe utilized. Here, the end users are designated as part of a Centrexgroup or an RES group which use an access code, rather than a verticalfeature code, for the service-specific code. In some cases, it may bepreferred to utilize a CDP trigger even if PODP feature code triggersare supported.

[0039]FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of steps performed to provide anoriginating component of the telecommunication service. The method isperformed using the components of the system described in FIG. 1.

[0040] As indicated by block 50, a step of receiving a service-specificcode and a private virtual network number from a calling partyinitiating a call is performed. The service-specific code and theprivate virtual network number are received by the SSP at the end officevia a public telephone line of the calling party.

[0041] After receiving the service-specific code and the private virtualnetwork number, a step of suspending the call is performed as indicatedby block 52. A query message is then sent to an SCP as indicated by thestep in block 54. In an embodiment utilizing AIN 0.1 compliantcomponents, the query message is an Info_Analyzed query message havingthe following parameters: a user identification parameter (UserID), alocal access transport area parameter (LATA), a calling partyidentification parameter (CallingPartyID), a charge number parameter(ChargeNumber), collected address information (CollectedAddress Info)and/or collected digits information (CollectedDigits), aservice-specific code parameter, and a trigger criteria type(TriggerCriteria Type). The service-specific code parameter is either avertical service code parameter (utilizing the PODP feature codetrigger) or an access code parameter (utilizing the CDP trigger).

[0042] A step of verifying that the user identification parameter is avalid entry for a particular business customer is performed as indicatedby block 56. The step of verifying, or screening, can be performedeither by the SCP or by a telecommunication carrier acting as atelecommunication service provider. If the user identification parameteris not a valid entry, then a step of routing the call to an appropriateterminating announcement is performed, as indicated by block 60. Theannouncement indicates to the user that the call cannot be completed asdialed. For example, the announcement can be: “We're sorry, we cannotcomplete your call as dialed. Please hang up, check the number and tryagain.”

[0043] As indicated by block 62, a step of validating the digits fromcollected digits or collected address information is performed. Forembodiments which utilize seven-digit private virtual network numbers,this step includes validating that the collected digits or collectedaddress information is a seven-digit number. If the collected digits orcollected address information is invalid, then a step of routing thecall to a terminating announcement is performed, as indicated by block64.

[0044] If the user identification parameter, the trigger criteria, theservice-specific code, and the collected digits or collected addressinformation are valid, then a step of forming a response to the querymessage is performed as indicated by block 66. Using an AIN platform,the response is formed using the SCP. In the AIN 0.1 embodiment, theresponse message includes an Analyze_Route message with an AMA Slipidentification parameter (AMASLPID) to establish a billing record in theSSP. The Analyze_Route message also contains the calling partyidentification parameter (CallingPartyID), a called party identificationparameter, a charge number parameter, a primary carrier parameter, anAMALineNumber parameter, and an AMA Alternative Billing Numberparameter.

[0045] The step of forming the response includes a step of populatingbilling parameters, such as an AMALineNumber parameter and an AMAAlternate Billing Number parameter of the business customer, in theresponse message. The step of forming the response also includesmodifying the calling party identification parameter and the chargenumber parameter to the billing number associated with the callingparty's business group. It is noted that this step is performedsubsequent to capturing the originating calling number to populate theAMALineNumber.

[0046] In forming the response, the SCP honors a privacy indicator forthe calling party. Hence, if the user dials a privacy access code (suchas “*67”), the call is anonymous. Further, if a user has per-lineblocking, the blocking is honored by the SCP. Consequently, the servicerestricts the passing of the calling party identification parameter forboth per-call and per-line privacy indicators.

[0047] The step of forming the response further includes a step oftranslating the called number. The called number can be translated byincluding a “700” prefix thereto. In general, the called number can betranslated to any NANP number. The translation is performed inaccordance with a translation table provided by everycustomer/telecommunication carrier/telecommunication service provider.The translation table indicates the translated number for each dialednumber or range of dialed numbers for the group.

[0048] Further, the response includes a carrier identification codeidentifying the telecommunication carrier selected by the businesscustomer. As indicated by block 70, a step of updating a count of callsrouted to a particular carrier is performed. The count can be updatedfor each carrier identification code and/or for each telecommunicationservice provider if each provider has multiple carrier identificationcodes. For telecommunication carriers having multiple carrieridentification codes, a plurality of counts can be maintained. Ifdesired, other measurements can also be updated in this step.

[0049] The response message is sent to the SSP in a step indicated byblock 72. The SSP performs a step of routing the call to the calledparty, as indicated by block 74, using the telecommunication carrieridentified by the carrier identification code. A step of providing adistinctive ring at the called party to indicate that the call isassociated with the work-at-home telecommunication service is performedas indicated by block 76. This step provides the terminating componentof the telecommunication service.

[0050] A step of creating a billing record, using the SSP, based on theAMASLPID sent from the SCP is performed as indicated by block 80. Forexample, the work-at-home telecommunication service can have a uniqueAMASLPID of 008880000 assigned thereto. The billing record includes theAlternative Billing Number, the AMALineNumber, and the CalledPartyIDsent from the SCP in the response message.

[0051] FIGS. 3(A-B) show a more detailed flow chart of SCP logic flow toprovide the telecommunication service. As indicated by block 90, the SCPreceives a query from an SSP. As described earlier, the query can be inthe form of an Info_Analyzed query message.

[0052] The SSP creates the Info_Analyzed query message to send the SCPafter encountering either a Vertical Service Code or Access Codetrigger. The Vertical Service Code and Access Code triggers on an SSPare provisioned to collect a variable number of digits. This means thatthe SSP sends the dialed digits in the CollectedDigits parameter of theInfo_Analyzed query. The service logic is set up to be able to alsorecognize digits from the CollectedAddressInfo parameter if the SSP wereto be set up to collect a normal number of digits.

[0053] The Info_Analyzed parameters shown in Table I are expected by thetelecommunication service. If the parameters are not populated asexpected, the call will be terminated to an announcement. TABLE IParameter Description TriggerCriteriaType verticalServiceCode orcustomizedAccess Expected Range: 1 = verticalServiceCode 2 =customizedAccess CallingPartyID DN of the calling party Expected Range:AIN Digits format odd/even indicator 0 = even nature of number 3 =national numbering plan 1 = ISDN screening indicator 3 = networkpresentation restricted 0 = allowed ind 1 = restricted digits 10 digitsAccessCode AccessCode that caused the trigger (with CustomizedAccesstrigger only). Expected Range: AIN Digits format odd/even indicator 1 =odd nature of number 0 = not applicable numbering plan 0 = notapplicable digits *96 VerticalServiceCode Vertical Service Code thatcaused the trigger (with Vertical Service Code trigger only). ExpectedRange: AIN Digits format odd/even indicator 1 = odd nature of number 0 =not applicable numbering plan 0 = not applicable digits *96CollectedDigits Digits collected from a user (assume ‘variable’ numberof digits collected at SSP). Expected Range: AIN Digits format odd/evenindicator 1 = odd nature of number 0 = not applicable numbering plan 0 =not applicable digits 7 or 10 digits CollectedAddressInfo Digitscollected from a user (7 or 10 digits when ‘normal’ number of digitscollected at SSP). Expected Range: AIN Digits format odd/even indicator1 = odd nature of number 0 = not applicable numbering plan 0 = notapplicable digits 7 or 10 digits UserID DN of the originating facilityExpected Range: DN 10 digits

[0054] As indicated by block 92, the SCP determines the type ofservice-specific code and trigger based on the query. Here, the SCPexamines the state of the TriggerCriteria Type parameter in the querymessage. If the service-specific message is a vertical service code,then flow is directed to block 94. If the service-specific message is acustomized access code, then flow is directed to block 96.

[0055] Block 94 is indicative of a step examining the validity of thevertical service code. If the vertical service code is invalid, i.e., isnot in a vertical service code table, the a step of sending the call toa terminating announcement is performed as indicated by block 100.

[0056] Block 96 is indicative of a step of examining the validity of thecustomized access code. If the customized access code is invalid, i.e.,is not in an access code table, a step of sending the call to aterminating announcement is performed as indicated by block 102.

[0057] If either the vertical service code or the customized access codeare valid, flow is directed to block 104 wherein a step of determiningif a predetermined number of digits were dialed. Typically, thepredetermined number is seven. Alternatively, the predetermined numbercan be ten. If a nonstandard number of digits were dialed, then the stepof sending the call to a terminating announcement is performed asindicated by block 102.

[0058] The telecommunication service logic creates and sends anAnalyze_Route for valid queries as determined by the step in block 104.The following Analyze_Route parameters shown in Table II will bepopulated by the telecommunication service logic. TABLE II ParameterDescription ChargeNumber ANI of the calling party (replaced by theBusiness/Billing number for the service). Expected Range: AIN Digitsformat odd/even indicator 0 = even nature of number 3 = nationalnumbering plan 1 = ISDN digits 10 = digits CallingPartyID DN of thecalling party (replaced by the Business/Billing number for the service).Expected Range: AIN Digits format odd/even indicator 0 = even nature ofnumber 3 = national numbering plan 1 = ISDN screening indicator 3 =network presentation restricted 0 = allowed ind 1 = restricted digits 10digits The presentation restricted ind will be populated with theCallingPartyID presentation restricted ind parameter from the querydigits 10 digits CalledPartyID Contains the DN associated with thecalled party (NPA portion will contain value related toCarrier/Subscription). Expected Range: AIN Digits format odd/evenindicator 0 = even nature of number 3 = national numbering plan 1 = ISDNdigits 10 digits PrimaryCarrier Contains carrier selection and carrierID. Expected Range: Carrier format selection 1 = presubscribed/ notinput id number of digits 4 carrier digits 0222 AMA This parameteridentifies the billed party AlternateBillingNumber (Business/Billingnumber for the service) Expected Range: AIN Digits format odd/evenindicator 0 = even nature of number 2 = ANI not avail. numbering plan 0= unknown digits 10 digits AMALineNumber This parameter is the AutomaticNumber Identification (ANI) Expected Range: odd/even indicator 1 = oddnature of number N/A numbering plan N/A screening indicator 0 = userprovided/ not screened presentation restricted 0 = allowed ind digits(13 total): Line Number Type: 005 Line Number 10 digits (Line Number =CallingPartyID from query) AMAslpID This parameter uniquely identifiesthe services. Default Value: 008880000

[0059] As indicated by block 110, the CollectedDigits orCollectedAddressInfo parameter is prefixed with “700” and used as theCalledPartyID parameter. It is noted, however, that alternativetranslations may be performed in this step.

[0060] As indicated by block 112, a step of populating the CalledPartyIDand the PrimaryCarrier parameters in the response message is performed.The billing parameters are populated in a step indicated by block 114.The billing parameters include CallingPartyID, ChargeNumber, AMAslpID,and AMAAlternate BillingNumber. Preferably, the billing parameters arepopulated with a business/billing number for a subscriber. TheAMALineNumber parameter is populated with “005” plus the CallingPartyIDfrom the query. A step of sending the response message back to the SSPis performed as indicated by block 116.

[0061] A call counter for the provider is incremented as indicated byblock 118. In a preferred embodiment, a counter table maintains pegcount data regarding the PIC (PrimaryCarrier) of telecommunicationcalls. The peg count data is kept for subscribers to thetelecommunication service and are pegged on a per-call basis. Theparameters of the counter table are illustrated in Table III. TABLE IIIParameter Description SubGrp: This field is a key for the measurementthat is to be pegged. The PrimaryCarrier value is used as the SubGrp forpegging the OrigCounter and TermCounter. This field is a 3 characterstring. OrigCounter: This field indicates the number of calls made usinga specific PIC (PrimaryCarrier). This value is incremented by one everytime a call is made from the specific PIC. This field is of typecounter. TermCounter: This field indicates the number of calls madeusing a specific PIC (PrimaryCarrier). This value is incremented by oneevery time a call is made from the specific PIC. This field is of typecounter.

[0062] Both the OrigCounter and the TermCounter parameters are peggedfor the specific PIC. The counts are collected, stored in the SCP, andthen polled by an SMS at regular time intervals. The intervals can be onthe order of a half-hour.

[0063] Subscriber-specific recent change data is maintained in a dialingplan table, a vertical service code table, and an access code table. Thedialing plan table contains call information to be used on a per-userbasis. The parameters of the dialing plan table are shown in Table IV.TABLE IV Parameter Description OrigSugGrp: Originator's subscriptiongroup (from Subscription_Group field of the User-Table in SAM (ServiceAccess Manager)). This is one of the keys for this table and representsa group within a subscription. The UserID or ChargeNumber parameters ofthe Info_Analyzed message is used by SAM to determine theSubscription_Group for the caller. This field is a 3 character string.StartDPDig: This field is used as an index into the Dialing Plan Tablealong with the OrigSubGrp. This is a 7 digit field to hold the NXX-XXXXportion of the CallingPartyID for each user. EndDPDig: This fieldcontains 7 digits (NXX-XXXX) of the 10-digit Business/ Billing numberfor this specific user. The NPA portion comes from the 3 digits removedfrom CallingPartyID value used to become the StartDPDIG index for thetable lookup. PrimaryCarrier: This field indicates the primary carrierto use for calls. For example, this 4 character string can be “0222”.AltCarrier: This field contains the NPA to prefix onto the(CollectedAddressInfo value of the Info)_Analyzed message (dialeddigits) and create the CalledPartyID. This 4 character string can be“700” (left justified), for example.

[0064] The NXX-XXXX portion of the CallingPartyID along with theOrigSubGrp are used to index the dialing plan table to retrieve thebilling number. The billing number can be a seven-digit number stored inthe EndDPDig field, or a ten-digit number if the NPA from CallingPartyIDis used. The dialing plan table also holds the Carrier value stored inthe PrimaryCarrier field to populate the PrimaryCarrier parameter.

[0065] The parameters for the vertical service code table and the accesscode table are given in Tables I and VI, respectively. TABLE V ParameterDescription OrigSubGrp: This field is a 3 character string which canhave a value of “1”, for example. VsCode: The vertical service code tobe used for the telecommunication service. This 10 character string canbe “96”, for example.

[0066] TABLE VI Parameter Description OrigSubGrp: This field is a 3character string which can have a value of “1”, for example. AccessCode:The access code to be used for the telecommunication service. This 5character string is expected to be “*96“, for example.

[0067] In summary, embodiments of the present invention allow an enduser who is working at home to make calls to fellow employees who arepart of a virtual network created by a telecommunication carrier.Billing characteristics associated with the call are altered to allowthe call to be billed directly to the subscriber. An incomingvirtual-network work-at-home call has a distinctive ringing pattern thatallows incoming calls to be identified to the user as such a call.

[0068] Further, an end user can make calls to other persons outside ofthe virtual network, and have those calls billed to the subscriber. Toprovide a means of security, embodiments of the present invention canrequire that a personal identification number (PIN) be entered afterdialing the service-specific vertical feature code. The system forproviding the telecommunication service is operative to complete thecall and bill the call to the subscriber if a correct PIN is received,and to inhibit the call and/or bill the call to the end user if anincorrect PIN is received.

[0069] It is noted that a service interface at the user's premises canbe in the form of a telephone or a fax. A customer interface can bemechanized so that the customer can provision users and receivenotification of service conflicts which exist on a line in real-time.

[0070] The above-described embodiments of the present invention havemany advantages. By forming an SCP response which includes a carrieridentification code for a group, embodiments of the present inventionallow members of the group to selectively place group-related,direct-dialed calls from home, where the group-related calls are carriedon a telecommunication carrier identified by the carrier identificationcode for the group rather than the members.

[0071] By utilizing vertical service feature codes to trigger theservice, embodiments of the work-at-home service are not limited tobeing part of a centrex or area-wide centrex service. Further, membersof a group can selectively place group-related, direct-dialed calls fromhome, where per-line and per-call privacy indicators are honored in thegroup-related calls.

[0072] By providing a distinctive ring for group-related calls,embodiments of the present invention alert call-receiving members of thegroup of group-related calls.

[0073] While the best mode for carrying out the invention has beendescribed in detail, those familiar with the art to which this inventionrelates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments forpracticing the invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for providing a work-at-hometelecommunication service, the system comprising: a service controlpoint; a service switching point which receives a service-specific,vertical feature code and a dialed number from a calling partyinitiating a call, the service switching point operative to suspend thecall and to send a query to the service control point after receivingthe vertical feature code and the dialed number, the query including thedialed number and a calling party identification number; wherein theservice control point forms a response to the query by translating thedialed number to form a called party identification number and bymodifying the calling party identification number to an identificationnumber of a group associated with the calling party; wherein theresponse includes the called party identification number, the callingparty identification number, and a carrier identification code whichidentifies a telecommunication carrier for the group associated with thecalling party; and wherein the service switching point routes the callto the called party using the telecommunication carrier for the group.2. The system of claim 1 wherein the dialed number includes aseven-digit number conforming to a standard dialing plan format.
 3. Thesystem of claim 2 wherein the service control point translates theseven-digit number by prefixing the seven-digit number with apredetermined string of digits.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein thedialed number includes a ten-digit number conforming to a standarddialing plan format.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein after receivingthe dialed number, the service switching point receives anend-of-dialing indication from the calling party.
 6. The system of claim5 wherein the end-of-dialing indication includes a “#” dialed by thecalling party.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the service switchingpoint receives a privacy access code prior to receiving the dialednumber, and wherein the service control point restricts a passing of thecalling party identification number to the called party in responsethereto.
 8. The system of claim 7 wherein the privacy access codeincludes “*67”.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the service switchingpoint creates a record of the call based upon the identification numberof the group associated with the calling party included in the response.10. The system of claim 1 wherein the calling party identificationnumber includes an ANI number.
 11. The system of claim 1 wherein adistinctive ring is provided at the called party to indicate that thecall is associated with the work-at-home telecommunication service. 12.The system of claim 1 wherein the dialed number includes a privatevirtual network number.
 13. The system of claim 1 wherein the call isrouted upon receiving a predetermined personal identification number.14. A method of providing a work-at-home telecommunication service, themethod comprising the steps of: (a) receiving, from a calling party, aservice-specific, vertical feature code and a dialed number to initiatea call; (b) suspending the call and sending a query to a service controlpoint after receiving the vertical feature code and the dialed number,the query including the dialed number and a calling party identificationnumber; (c) forming a response to the query using the service controlpoint by translating the dialed number to a called party identificationnumber and by modifying the calling party identification number to anidentification number of a group associated with the calling party, theresponse including the called party identification number, the callingparty identification number, and a carrier identification code whichidentifies a telecommunication carrier for the group associated with thecalling party; and (d) routing the call to the called party using thetelecommunication carrier identified by the carrier identification code.15. The method of claim 14 wherein the dialed number includes aseven-digit number conforming to a standard dialing plan format.
 16. Themethod of claim 15 wherein the service control point translates theseven-digit number by prefixing the seven-digit number with apredetermined string of digits.
 17. The method of claim 14 wherein thedialed number includes a ten-digit number conforming to a standarddialing plan format.
 18. The method of claim 14 further comprising astep of receiving an end-of-dialing indication from the calling partyafter receiving the dialed number.
 19. The method of claim 18 whereinthe end-of-dialing indication includes a “#” dialed by the callingparty.
 20. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step ofreceiving a privacy access code prior to receiving the dialed number,and wherein the service control point restricts a passing of the callingparty identification number to the called party in response thereto. 21.The method of claim 20 wherein the privacy access code includes “*67”.22. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of creating arecord of the call based upon the identification number of the groupassociated with the calling party included in the response.
 23. Themethod of claim 14 wherein the calling party identification numberincludes an ANI number.
 24. The method of claim 14 further comprisingthe step of: (e) providing a distinctive ring at the called party toindicate that the call is associated with the work-at-hometelecommunication service
 25. The method of claim 14 wherein the dialednumber includes a private virtual network number.
 26. The method ofclaim 14 wherein the call is routed upon receiving a predeterminedpersonal identification number.